CCTV ordinance approved

Subscribe Now December 07, 2012 at 08:46am

THE Davao City Council on Tuesday passed on third and final reading an ordinance requiring business establishments to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras. All members of the City Council voted for the approval of the ordinance with nary an objection.

Councilor Jimmy Dureza, in an interview at the sidelines of the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting Wednesday, said the policy will be implemented as soon as City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio affixes her signatory on the ordinance.

He said CCTV ordinance will help business establishments secure and safeguard their place, adding that CCTVs will serve as a deterrent to robbers.

Councilor Victorio Advincula Jr., chair of the committee on social services and co-proponent of the measure, earlier said the approved ordinance is not an income-generating policy.

He said it is in line with the City Government's campaign to minimize crime.

"This is for protection and public safety," Advincula said.

He said the proposal would cover all establishments in Davao with a minimum capitalization of P3 million and above, including banks, pawnshops, restaurants, shopping malls, hotels and inns, educational institutions, hospitals and medical institutions, gaming cockpits and private transportations terminal operating land, air, and sea.

CCTV cameras shall be installed, operated and maintained in public and common areas of the business establishments.

Advincula said the ordinance will be one of the requisites for applying business permit, as well for those who would renew their permits.

Aside from this, Advincula said the requirements of setting up CCTVs would include having 30-60 reels per second and that proprietors would be required to record everything in a disc that is good for one month, and would surrender it to authorities if required.

With the ordinance, it would also be mandated to designate an employee to man the CCTV technicalities.

Dureza said should the ordinance be implemented, they will give time for business owners to purchase CCTVs and comply with the policy.

During the CPOC meeting, Duterte wanted the papers to be prepared for signatory.

The maximum penalty for violating such ordinance is a fine of P5,000, according to Advincula.

Councilor Paulo Duterte, chair for committee on public safety, is the principal proponent of the ordinance.